"Yes, it is a pleasure to meet you and I look forward to working with you for the project."
"Likewise, Mr Dixon" the young girl replied.
Vale shook hands with the petite brunette upon concluding the meeting. It was a project that Vale had had in mind for months. The story is to be centered around a female omega student as she attempts to overcome the obstacles and hardships in her life. It would be something that many authors have avoided portraying in great detail-- or in this instance, making an omega female the main character of a story-- since the very thought of sympathizing with omegas was deemed as distasteful in the eyes of many.
Then again, it was rather ironic seeing that the demand for omegas is beginning to rise since the population of omegas are beginning to dwindle to mere double digits. Alphas who tend to look down upon omegas are actually in great need of them. This is mainly due to the fact that alphas are unable to obtain ultimate sexual fulfilment nor are they able to sire offspring with a partner who is not an omega. As for the latter part, it is even more difficult if the omega is not the alpha's fated partner.
A fated partner or that of a 'soulbond' is somewhat rare and has a one in thirty chance of occurring. As a result, most of the population are betas. Betas are the 'normal' people who do not experience 'the rut' or heat that alphas and omegas have to endure on a frequent basis. Unlike the alphas that usually excel in everything, betas are more towards being 'average' citizens. In some ways, the betas are envied for their normalcy. The betas, on the other hand, tend to envy the alphas and omegas that have a likelihood-- no matter how small the chance is-- of mating for life.
Even so, no one has ever desired to be an omega. Not even the omega themselves would wish it upon anyone else. Although there are suppressants that help omegas endure and even stop their heat, it would not be a long term solution since only the pheromones and semen of an alpha can calm down their heat. Refusing to be sexually involved with an alpha would lead to the omega experiencing extreme abdominal pain for the whole of their heat cycle.
All-in-all, the story of an omega protagonist is going to be a new concept and hopefully, it will help change the minds of many as to how they view the omegas.
***
It was around lunchtime when Vale had finally returned to the café. After what seemed like a long morning, it felt good to be back. Then again, he did have one meeting after the next, from the very start of the morning. Most of the meetings were of formal discussions and contract reviewing before finally signing the dotted lines. Only the last meeting of the day had finished so quickly.
The countless days spent on making the formal requests and negotiations were all worth it. Despite the time and effort spent, there was always a feeling of contentment and fulfilment whenever an agreement is finalised. Thus, instead of feeling tired and spent from the lack of sleep, the man felt refreshed. There was even a skip in his walk as he continued towards the café.
The scent of coffee and chocolate wafted out of the cafe as the Vale got closer. 'Mm. Just the thought of drinking a cup of mocha, whipped cream with some chocolate shavings is making my mouth water', Vale thought to himself as he hummed a simple tune.
Along the driveway of the cafe, he stopped at the cafe's brick red post box and checked if there were any letters. There was only a white letter that was tied with a paper string. The letter had no stamps or address written on it other than 'Vale' written on it. Judging from the slight indentation on the letter, the sender had written his name rather than printed it out. The golden black letters added to the elegant effect of the cursive handwriting.
'Who is this from? Very few people know my first name and there's no way they would do such a thing. This letter was clearly delivered by hand.' At that very thought, the man looked up at the surveillance camera as the red light blinked on and off. 'I will have to check the camera footage later.'
Intrigued and somewhat nervous, Vale was about to unravel the paper string and open the letter when he heard Cassidy calling out to him. Looking up from the letter, he saw Cassidy's panicked expression as she rushed towards him.
"Boss, I was just about to call when I noticed you standing out here. It's an emergency. You need to come right now", Cassidy spoke quickly and half dragged Vale into the café before he could even reply. The man shoved the letter into his coat's pocket as they rushed in.
Most of the customers in the café were chatting away as they enjoyed their food. Only a few were seated on their own as they read comics and newspapers. There was nothing unusual with the café or any of its customers from what the man could tell.
If anything, there was a lack of staff at the café itself. Only Nash and Jasper were looking after the cashier and attending to the customers. The two men looked at him with worried expressions as Cassidy pulled him up the staircase, towards the second floor.
Upon entering the staff workspace, he saw Derek and a number of other staff crowding at the door of his office. They were all murmuring as they gathered around an unconscious and pale Raelynn who was laid on his sofa bed. Derek was kneeling next to her, dabbing her forehead with a wet towel.
"She's already 17. It is probably her heat", one of the staff whispered.
"No, it's not that. I'm an alpha and I don't smell any pheromones being emitted from her", another whispered in reply.
"Well, it could be… It is probably just starting. That's why there isn't any sweet scent", another alpha staff member remarked.
Derek, who was attending to Raelynn, turned sharply and glared at the staff who were whispering. Then his gaze softened when he noticed that Vale had returned, "Boss!"
"Derek, what happened?" Vale asked.
"We don't know for sure. Lily was fine this morning when we had gone grocery shopping. However, later in the morning, she started to feel feverish before fainting. I've gotten the syringe ready in case we need to inject her with suppressants but there is no actual sign that she is having her heat" Derek explained.
"Okay, do we have spare suppressants for the other alphas and omegas in the cafe just in case Raelynn really is having her heat?" Vale asked. Just in case of an outbreak of heat pheromones, the café usually had spare suppressants for both alphas and omegas on every floor. If the omega's heat or alpha's rut becomes too intense, they will be quarantined in either Vale's office or room on the third floor. Both areas have beds and have special doors that will prevent the pheromones from escaping and affecting any other omega or alpha.
"Yes, we have it right here." Cassidy replied and pointed to a box on a table nearby.
"Good. Has a doctor been contacted yet?"
"Yes, boss. I've made the call and she should be arriving any time now" Derek answered.
"Okay, let's close the door and let Raelynn rest. We can watch her from outside my office in case she needs more attending to. Let's just wait for the doctor to arrive and check on her."
"Yes, boss."
***
"Thank you very much for coming on such short notice, Doctor Chang. We really appreciate it", Vale said.
"You're welcome. Just make sure that she is hydrated and well rested. Though it is odd that for an omega at her age to not experience her first heat yet, Raelynn had collapsed mainly due to stress" the doctor replied.
"Stress? Lily is strong and endured things far worse than just a couple of days of working long hours on a comic" Derek spoke defensively.
"That is a personal matter that you will have to wait for Raelynn to open up about. This is the only conclusion I can make upon observing her vitals and noticing the telltale signs. As a doctor, I can only say that it is due to stress that she is like this. As for the cause, I have absolutely no idea as of yet. It could be an internal or external cause" the doctor replied as she started packing.
"Yes, we understand. I will keep you updated on Raelynn's condition" Vale said as he walked the doctor to the entrance of the cafe.
"Yes, that would be good. Goodbye."
When Doctor Chang had left, Vale turned to look at the depressed Derek. The usually cheerful man looked upset and lost for the first time.
Vale approached Derek and grabbed at his arm reassuringly, "Judging by how severe the stressful factor could be, Raelynn's situation could worsen. I suggest that you have a talk to her when she regains consciousness. It should help clear things up and encourage her to open up."